419 scam: "Dr. Tony M. Pini"<SETTLEMENTCENTRE@internetaddress.com> FROM WORLD WIDE INTERNET LOTTERY

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "part of our security protocols" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +34672860163 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- williamcruz@representative.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Tony M. Pini" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:55:32 +0100
Subject: FROM WORLD WIDE INTERNET LOTTERY

FROM WORLD WIDE INTERNET LOTTERY
www.lotterypost.com
Contact Agent: MR. William Cruz
Email: WilliamCruz@representative.com
Of Atocha Seguros S.A (Spain)
Tel: +34 672 860 163
REFERENCE NO: WW-M/2011-21828
BATCH NO: 2011WWPM#US09
WINNER NO: 4
14/02/2011

Dear Claimant,

We are pleased to inform you that your emails/company address has been selected for a cash prize Offer as registered member of Internet E-mail User .You have subsequently won the sum of One Million Euros (€1, 000,000,000) from the World Wide Internet Lottery Emails promotion.

All participants were selected from worldwide website through our Microsoft computer ballot System drawn from 21,000 names, 3,000 names from each continent (Canada ,Asia ,Australia, United States ,Europe ,Middle East ,Africa and Oceania, as part of international "Email promotions program ,which we conducted annually for prominent MS-Word users all over the World, and to encourage the use of the Internet and alleviate poverty worldwide.

As part of our security protocols you are to quote this security code ESPM/M/000121#S077 REFERENCE NO: WW-M/2011-21828, BATCH NO: 2011WWPM#US09, to your claiming agent.
Regarding the process to transfer your prize, kindly contact your above mention claim agent immediately with bellow information

You are now advised to forward your full details below to your agent for your payment:
Full Names Surname/First:
Telephone Number:
Reference Number:
Batch Number:
Winning Security code:
Nationality:
Full Address:
AGE:
OCCUPATION:
Age Sex:
E-MAIL: ..................................
HAVE YOU A PASSPORT OR LICENCE: ............. (For Identification)
(OPTIONAL) BANK TRANSFER DETAILS: ........................

Endeavour; do mail/fax the agency your full details as your winning information.
If you do not contact your claims (AGENT) within 72hours of this notification, your winning could revoke.
Winners are advised to keep their winning information secret to avoid fraudulent claim IMPORTANT pending the transfer/claim by winner.
Congratulations Once again!!!

Regards,

Dr. Tony M. Pini
VICE PRESIDENT

THIS FUND IS NOT AT LIBERTY TO MAKE ANY DEDUCTIONS FROM YOUR WINNING FUND BECAUSE YOUR WINNING PRIZE HAS BEEN INSURED AND UNDER THE INSURANCE POLICY AND RULES GUIDING THIS PROMOTION, YOU ARE TO BE PAID THE FULL AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU WON WITHOUT ANY DEDUCTIONS.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam